"I want the players to know that they have a coaching
staff that backs them, that rates them and enjoys working with them.

"It’s up to them to bring the character, and they’ve
done that."

The former Springbok assistant coach admits that there is
still plenty of room for improvement.

"I’m really proud of the players, proud of the progress
we’ve made," he said.

"However, we’re not remotely the finished business, but
if we carry on showing the character we’re showing in our performances against
teams as lethal as the likes of the Crusaders, we’ll grow in confidence.

"We have some things to fix, we know that, but I’m
proud of the way the guys responded to what was a poor year in 2015.

"We decided we’d go back and rebuild and the guys have
really put their hands up."